Jenn Pfeiffer
Subscribe to my Mailing List
Enter your email address below to stay in the loop with the latest Marin County real estate news, direct to your email inbox.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Buying tips - The Jenn Pfeiffer Team
fade
985
archive,tag,tag-buying-tips,tag-985,wp-theme-averly,wp-child-theme-averly-child,eltd-core-1.3,averly child-child-ver-1.0.1,averly-ver-1.9,,eltd-smooth-page-transitions,eltd-mimic-ajax,eltd-grid-1200,eltd-blog-installed,eltd-main-style1,eltd-disable-fullscreen-menu-opener,eltd-header-standard,eltd-sticky-header-on-scroll-down-up,eltd-default-mobile-header,eltd-sticky-up-mobile-header,eltd-dropdown-default,eltd-,eltd-enable-sidemenu-area-opener,eltd-side-menu-slide-with-content,eltd-width-370,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-8.4.1,vc_responsive
 

Buying tips Tag

15 Essential Questions for Smart House Hunting

From HouseLogic Here’s how to house hunt to focus on what’s most important and avoid buyer’s remorse. Buying a home is one of the biggest and most considered financial decisions you’ll ever make. Some buyers may think they're making a good decision but end up with regret. In fact, 82% of recent homebuyers said they had at least one regret about their purchase, according to a 2024 survey conducted by Clever Real Estate. Attention-grabbing features like updated kitchens and cosmetic touches like fresh paint can distract buyers, says Gabriella DeBartoli, a real estate pro with the DeBartoli Real Estate Group, part of Huntingon and Ellis, in Las Vegas. When they're distracted,...

Read More

Is Buying a House With Cash a Good Idea in Today’s Market?

By Cathie Ericson|Realtor.com In light of today's rising mortgage rates, the thought of saving money on a monthly mortgage payment by paying for a home all in cash might seem like a safe bet. Moreover, home sellers swoon over all-cash offers, since it means there's no doubt that you've got the coin to close the deal. And a happy seller means the house will be yours that much faster. But before you drop every dollar you have on buying a home, you should understand all of the expenses you'll have to cover, even if you plan on financing the house with cold, hard cash. How to buy a home with cash You can use cash from a variety of sources...

Read More

Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets

From our friends at the kcm blog Depending on where you live, the housing market could feel red-hot or strangely quiet right now. The truth is, local markets are starting to move in different directions. In some places, buyers are calling the shots. In others, sellers still hold the power. It’s a tale of two markets. What’s a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market? In a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale and not as many buyers. That means homes sit longer, buyers have more negotiating power, and prices tend to soften as a result. It’s simple supply and demand. On the flip side, a seller’s market happens when there aren’t enough...

Read More

The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear

From our friends at the kcm blog Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier. Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what actually matters, and how you can move through the process with a lot less guesswork. Here are a few real-world tips based on that experience of helping other first-time buyers. Tip #1: Get Pre-Approved First Rocket Mortgage says this is one of the most common mistakes first-time buyers make. And it’s easy to see why. Looking at...

Read More

Think It’s Better To Wait for a Recession Before You Move? Think Again.

From our friends at the kcm blog Fear of a recession is back in the headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move. A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows 68% of people are delaying plans to buy or sell due to economic uncertainty. But it may not be for the reason you think. Not everyone is holding off because they’re worried. Some buyers are waiting because they’re hopeful. According to Realtor.com: “In 2025Q1, 3 in 10 (29.8% of) surveyed homebuyers said a recession would make them at least somewhat more likely to purchase a home...

Read More

Buying Your First Home? FHA Loans Can Help

From our friends at the kcm blog If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in today’s market. But there are resources and programs out there that can help – if you know where to look. And one thing that can make homeownership easier to achieve? An FHA home loan. They’re designed to help you overcome some of the biggest financial hurdles in the homebuying process – and that’s why so many first-timers are using them to make their purchase. Whether you’re dreaming of ditching rent, planting roots, or just wanting a place that’s truly yours, an FHA home loan could be the path...

Read More

What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

From our friends at the kcm blog When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where you decide to live. A homeowners association is basically an organization that oversees a housing community (including shared spaces) and sets and enforces rules for things like upkeep. Some buyers love the perks that come with an HOA, others may see the fees as an extra expense. The key is knowing what they cover and whether...

Read More

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It’s Your Buying Opportunity

From our friends at the kcm blog Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place. What’s Going on With Inventory? Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below. But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t...

Read More

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

From our friends at the KCM Blog Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you’re wondering: Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily. Can You Qualify for a Home Loan...

Read More

The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

From our friends at the kcm blog Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock. But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the truth. Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home? Unless your specific loan type or lender requires it, odds are you won’t have to put 20% down. There are loan options out there designed to help first-time buyers like you get in the door with a much smaller down payment. For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%,...

Read More